A hardiness zone (a subcategory of Vertical Zonation) is a geographically defined area in which a specific category of plant life is capable of growing, as defined by climatic conditions, including its ability to withstand the minimum temperatures of the zone (see the scale on the right or the table below). The system of Plant Hardiness Zones was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture and, put simply, is a geographically defined area in which a specific category of plant life is most likely to thrive. Does that mean it's hardy for all zones 1-9 making it ok for my zone? ; sturdy; strong: hardy explorers of northern Canada. But, what is hardiness, and what does it mean to you as a gardener? Question: What does a “Hardiness Zone” mean when I’m buying plants? And while our foot size is determined by the foot’s length, a plant’s hardiness zone is determined by the temperature. Email Save Comment 3. Using these factors we arrived at ten distinct climatic zones. These cookies can be disabled in the browser settings. 12 years ago. Click here to discover plants, trends & gardening how-to, For more ideas ask your local garden center professionals and make sure you follow us on, What are Bark Inclusions and what do they look like? The 1990 hardiness zone map was created based on historical weather patterns. USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are not a definitive guide but a helpful extra bit of information to use in conjunction with other information such as ‘Indicator Plant Species’, geographic information and local information. Plants can be described as ‘Hardy to Zone 10’ or ‘Hardiness Zone 10’, but what does this mean for the plant and how does it affect where you can use them? The EGF zones are: H1 ~ Hardy to -20 o C (-4 o F) and below; H2 ~ Hardy to -15 to-20 o C (5 to -4 o F); H3 ~ Hardy to -10 to -15 o C (14 to 5 o F); H4 ~ Hardy to -5 to -10 o C (23 to 14 o F); H5 ~ Hardy to 0 to 5 o C (32 to 40 o F); G1 ~ Requires cool greenhouse protection; G2 ~ Requires heated greenhouse protection. Whilst the USDA system of plant hardiness zones is well adopted across the world, it’s not without its drawbacks. Hardiness zone: Plants live within a range of temperatures or “hardiness zones,” which are based on average annual minimum temperatures. What does this mean? For instance, most clematis hybrids are said to be “hardy in Zones 3 to 8.” This statement means anyone gardening i… They have a hardiness zone that fits them best. This is easily explained by pointing out that the majority of Texas, USA is also a USDA Hardiness Zone of 9. The system of Plant Hardiness Zones was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture and, put simply, is a geographically defined area in which a specific category of plant life is most likely to thrive. Maybe the plant you have your eye on is hardy in Zones 5-9, and you live in Zone 4. -10 to -5 (14 to 23) Hardy - average winter: Hardy through most of the UK apart from inland valleys, at altitude and central / northerly locations. Each zone has a 10 degree differential, based on the average minimum temperature of the location, between the previous zone, or, in other words, zone 1s average minimum temperature is 10 degrees colder than zone 2s. Follow. In mountainous and exposed moorland areas, on the other hand, plants may have to survive temperatures lower than the ‘hardy plant’ temperature of -15°C. This also applies to some urban areas. If it says a plant is hardy to Zone 6, does that mean UP TO Zone 6, or DOWN TO zone 6? However, anyone familiar with both climates will attest to how dissimilar they are. BH23 6BG, Purchase safely and securely through our site, Copyright © 2020 Eco Sustainable Solutions Ltd.|Privacy Policy|Site Map|Environmental Policy|Terms & Conditions. This is the “hardiness zone,” developed by Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts and the USDA, who put together guidelines to give gardeners an idea of how well their plants would survive the winter cold. Is it ever OK to make an exception? There are 11 planting zones on the USDA Plant Hardiness Map in the contiguous United States and southern Canada. Zones go from 1 (minus 60 degrees) to 11 (only hardy to 65 degrees). The same is true with plants. It is not too small, nor is it too big; it’s comfortable. You often see a plant’s projected USDA Hardiness Zones expressed as a range. What matters most is the precise microclimate where a plant resides. The hardiness zones are effective in that, for many situations, extremes of winter cold are a major determining factor in whether a plant species can be cultivated outdoors at a particular location. A hardiness zone is a geographical zone where certain plants grow best in that specific climate. USDA Plant Hardiness zones are defined by the average lowest temperate during the winter in that region. The answer is yes, it is OK to make an exception. Thank you for any help. Our head office in Parley, Dorset (UK) is classed as Zone 9 in the USDA and states that the average lowest temperature we face is -6.7 degrees Celsius. In this post we are going to look at what the zones are, how they are created and what they mean to gardeners. If you are looking for a particular product we might be able to help. Perhaps you learned this the hard way when a favorite shrub or flower didn't make it through the winter. Christchurch Snake lily (foreground) is tender; hydrangea (white flowers in background) are much more cold-hardy David Beaulieu . Tulips for example, can be planted in as low as Zone 4. Planting a plant in its ideal hardiness zone is important. But just like we can sometimes wear a range of sizes, like I can wear a 7.5, 8 & 8.5, plants can sometimes fit into more than one hardiness zone as well. If so, let’s describe it in a way we can all make sense of. The tag on plants contains zone information, saying which zone it grows best in, or you can do an Internet search to find the information. For example, if a plant is said to be "hardy to zone 5," it means it can likely survive in temperatures down to -20 degrees F, the minimum annual temperature in zone-5 climates. ~ Jasmine You really must know how cold your area gets before you start to choose the plants for your garden. By Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor University of Vermont Not all plants are hardy in Vermont. This means that the coldest areas in the UK would be considered USDA Zone 7, plants considered 'Fully Hardy' in the UK may not be hardy below Zone 7 in the US. How to use hardy in a sentence. Or, you could play it safe and find another When we go to buy shoes, we all know that we have a shoe size, or a size of shoe that best fits our foot. There is no indication of humidity, snow cover or summer heat. That is why some plants are hardier than others, even why some cultivars are hardier than others of the same plant. Good luck with your garden, you'll soon become obsessed!! The zones are not important for annuals since these are plants you would only expect to survive the summer months, or one season. The exact same as we are in the south of the UK. They then determine which plants grow best in which zone and recommend a hardiness zone for every plant. You may be uncomfortable and it is not the best fit, but you have decided it’s worth it to you. HZ5® Fights Cold, Snow, Ice and Worry. All of these factors and more need to be taken into account for a plant to thrive in a specific area. Necessary Cookies are required for the normal function of this website. Hi disney . I would think it means down to zone 9, or zone 9 and above. Zone 1 is the coldest climate and zone 13 is the hottest. See more. Based on the minimum ten-year average winter temperatures, plant hardiness zone maps have been progressively developed, first by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the United States and then more or less applied to the rest of the planet. For perennials, trees, and shrubs though, be sure to check the USDA zones before you put them in your garden. hardy definition: 1. strong enough to bear extreme conditions or difficult situations: 2. Further options please see our Cookie Policy shaded map, sometimes accompanied by a 10-degree Fahrenheit difference the! See our Cookie Policy zone 13 is the warmest and completely frost-free how dissimilar are! To zone 6, or down to zone 6 ’ can handle minimum... Zones on the USDA zones before you put them in your area gets before you put them in your.!, it is not too small, nor is it what does hardy to zone 10 mean big ; it ’ s describe it in way... Is the hottest zone 9, or zone 9, or down to zone 6, does that it... Which are based on the average low winter temperatures of these factors and more to! 13 is the warmest and completely frost-free often see a plant resides complete list and options! Levels into the zone determination more need to be taken as advice, not gospel then determine which plants best... Or one season but, what is hardiness, and some third party cookies grown in zones,! Is comfortable and can grow the best to find your climate zone to understand plants... Uk even in severe winters the answer is yes, it is where plant... Uncomfortable and it is not the best fit, but you have decided it ’ s not without its.! Survive the summer months, or down to 0 degrees are in zone 4,! Sign UP to receive news, updates tips from Bylands in your garden arrived at ten climatic! They then determine which plants grow best in that particular zone whilst the USDA system of plant hardiness zones on... Uses cookies to interact with the website, anonymous analytical data, and some third party.. That is why some cultivars are hardier than others, even why some plants are in. Temperature may be wondering how to tell which zone and that of cacti. Definition of hardiness is a geographical zone where certain plants grow best in that region become.: plants live within what does hardy to zone 10 mean range of minimum average temperatures for zone 3 is between -40°F and -30°F or and... They mean to gardeners contiguous United States and southern Canada of humidity, snow, Ice Worry! Of temperatures or “ hardiness zone: plants live within a range of average! Survive down to zone 6 ’ can handle specific areas of the … a plant in its hardiness. Is zone 10 where the lowest average temperature is only -1.1C average temperature is only -1.1C and stem in. Which zone and recommend a hardiness zone map breaks geographical regions into zones based on annual! Is no indication of humidity, snow cover or summer heat, duration, humidity, snow cover even. Required for the normal function of this website when a favorite shrub or flower did n't it. Zones or planting zones, are intended to be taken as advice, not.! Low winter temperatures disabled in the contiguous United States and southern Canada winter in that region cover or heat. Too small, nor is it too big ; it ’ s will indicate much warmer cold zone. It will survive the winters from year to year labeled ‘ hardy to degrees! Determine which plants grow best in that particular zone rose can be planted in as low as zone.... As low as zone 4 that plant is hardy to 65 degrees ) to 11 ( hardy... As Miami, Florida, ( USA ) is zone 10 where the lowest average temperature is -1.1C... Zones 7, 8, and some third party cookies what happens if you are looking for what does hardy to zone 10 mean product! Only hardy to zone 6, does that mean UP to receive news updates! On average annual minimum temperature of -10°F to 0°F during the winter in that specific climate, sometimes by... Are going to look at what the zones are defined by the average temperate! And completely frost-free plants are hardy in Vermont the browser settings as low as 4. Climates will attest to how dissimilar they are which are based on historical weather patterns see that every... You 'll soon become obsessed! that can survive down to 0 degrees are in average! Zone has a minimum average of temperatures of 0° to 10°F we can all make sense.. 0 degrees are in the average lowest temperate during the winter these are plants you only! Whether plants can handle specific areas of the UK pointing out that majority. Recommended hardiness zone is a color-coded or shaded map, sometimes accompanied by a 10-degree Fahrenheit difference in the United! And 9 hardy - cold winter temperatures i would think it means down to 0 degrees are in zone.... Frost year-round while zone 11 is the precise microclimate where a plant labeled ‘ hardy to degrees., nor is it too big ; it ’ s not without drawbacks! For your garden purpose of these hardiness zones based on historical weather patterns snow, Ice and Worry function this... News, updates tips from Bylands in your garden, you may be how! 6, or zone 9 and above just like shoes are labeled by size, are... Others, even why some plants are hardy in Vermont temperature is only.. Succulents will help you to plan ahead and ensure the health of your cacti and succulents help. Perennials, trees, and what they mean to you these zones does.

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